Inauguration 2013: Crowds Ready To Witness History On National Mall

People wave American flags as people gather near the U.S. Capitol building on the National Mall for the Inauguration ceremony. (Getty)

WASHINGTON (AP) - There isn't the same crush of humanity as four years ago, but the crowd for President Barack Obama's second inauguration is extending along the National Mall to a giant tent and screen in front of the Washington Monument.

A heavy and steady stream of people flooded the Mall on Monday, stretching out around the reflecting pool.

People snapped pictures with a flag-draped Capitol building in the background.

Betsy Seeber of Doylestown, Pa., said, "I'm not a crowd person, and I was pretty astounded when they estimated there would only be 800,000."

The weather is cool with a steady breeze. Hand-warmers are being sold by street vendors three for $5. In 2009, when temperatures were in the 20s, vendors got $5 for each one.